It is horrifying to know that over 3,000 children, below the age of five, have been immunised with expired polio vaccines. And this practice may be happening for some time in Pakistan. The statements by some health practitioners that expired polio vaccine is not harmful are disturbing. On August 9, 2010 three children mysteriously died in Faisalabad after a team of health functionaries administered them polio drops. In another incident in Lahore on June 16, 2011, the condition of an infant deteriorated shortly after taking the polio vaccine. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead.

The authorities concerned didn’t take any action despite the fact that these cases were extensively reported in the media. And now we hear about the case of expired vaccine. Considering the above-mentioned incidents, the claims of our health authorities of going to any extent to eradicate polio from the country look hollow.